us, man?”
Harley frowned lightly. “I dunno. I meant it, you two look nice together. Happy.
And it felt real good to have you inside me, but…I know that’s not you, that whole scene…hell, I don’t even know if it’s me.”
Ben was visibly relieved. “You’re right, I never woulda done it if it wasn’t you, buddy. Not really my thing, but I guess at least I know that for sure now.”
I went and knelt next to Harley, pushed his hair back from his forehead like I was checking for a fever. “You gonna be okay, honey?”
He nodded and gave me a warm smile. “I think maybe you answered some of my questions, and made me realize I got so many more to ask.”
“Y’know, honey, I’m 36 and I‘m still asking. That’s never gonna stop. Every day of your life is like a room with a hundred doors, and every door leads to another room 334
just like it. You can open every door but you can only pass through one. And you can’t go back.”
He swallowed before he could speak. “I’ve just spent so much time thinking something was busted inside me. My folks, my friends, no-one got me. But you guys…you both just take me for who I am.”
I placed my hand on his chest, right over his heart. “You’re a sweet and beautiful young man, Harley, and pretty soon someone special is gonna realize that. But honey…
As he blinked away tears he looked younger than ever. I scooped him into a hug that was almost maternal. He swayed against me for a minute or two and then sat back, and I ruffled his hair.
“Oh, and don’t be afraid to get a bit nasty, sometimes. We girls may be small and soft, but we bounce.”
Ben wrapped his body around mine. “And in all the right places, too.”
I turned my head to kiss his shoulder. “Baby, you’re wonderful. Any time you’re in this part of town, come and…see me.”
“I’m thinking maybe I’ll move to this part of town.”
“I know someone who’s struggling to pay her rent.”
He smiled and scooped me into a long and sensual kiss.
“Eww…gross! Get a room, you two!”
We separated with a chuckle, and I winked at Harley. “Hey…
